August 29th 2024.
The Paralympics have taken center stage and all eyes are on the Paris 2024 games, where the world's top Paralympians are competing for glory in the beautiful French capital. As Team GB strives to replicate their impressive performance from three years ago in Tokyo, anticipation and excitement fill the air. With a total of 124 medals, including a staggering 41 gold medals, Team GB finished second in the overall medal table.
But how many sports and events make up the Paralympics, and how many medals are up for grabs? Let's dive into the details and find out. First off, there are 22 sports in the Paris 2024 Paralympics, with 20 of them being equivalent to the sports included in the Olympics schedule. Boccia and goalball are the two sports exclusive to the Paralympics, adding a unique touch to the games.
Boccia is a game where competitors face off as individuals, pairs, or teams of three, and it's often compared to the game of bowls. Each side is given six red or blue balls, and the aim is to get your balls closest to the Jack. Athletes in the BC1 category are allowed to use their hands or feet, while BC2 athletes throw without assistance. BC3 athletes use a pointer and ramp with the help of an assistant. This sport made its debut in the Paralympics in 1984 and was initially developed for individuals with coordination disabilities.
On the other hand, goalball has been a part of the Paralympics since 1976 and is played by teams of six players, with three players on the court at any given time. Participants must be legally blind and wear opaque eyeshades to ensure fair competition. The objective of the game is to throw the ball into the opposing team's net while remaining on their hands and knees. To help competitors feel the court markings, strings are taped onto the ground, and the ball contains bells for players to track its movement. In order to maintain the integrity of the game, coaches, substitutes, and spectators must remain silent during play.
Out of the 22 sports, Team GB will participate in 19 of them, as they did not qualify for blind football, goalball, or sitting volleyball. These sports include archery, athletics, badminton, canoe, cycling, equestrian, judo, powerlifting, rowing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, and various wheelchair sports such as basketball, fencing, rugby, and tennis.
With a total of 549 events, there are 1,647 medals up for grabs at the Paris Paralympics. Each medal contains original iron from the Eiffel Tower, which has been permanently removed during construction work over the years. The medals are designed in a hexagonal shape, representing the geometrical shape of France. So as we cheer on our favorite Paralympians, we can appreciate the history and symbolism behind their hard-earned medals.
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